Using My Time More Efficiently; The Tree Is Up!

I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see.

-John Burroughs

Isn’t that so true? Every day we have 24 hours to parse as we please, and we all manage to spend our time in vastly different ways. Somehow, someway, the hours tick by, and before you know it, December is knocking at your door. You look at the clock, gape at the calendar and wonder, ‘How did this happen again?! Where did the year go?’ Time is gracious like that. It doesn’t stomp away in a huff and a puff. The disappearing act is more of a gradual letdown, before lowering the boom at the end of each year.

You’re not the only one looking at your calendar in disbelief. I’m right there with you.

Moments like this call for inspiration, which I’m going to draw from the quote above. December is still too short for all those activities, but I can sure try to use my time more efficiently.

… all the thoughts I want to think: That means more time spent writing and in discourse with myself. There’s a future to plan, and my brain’s also brimming with ideas and directions to take this blog. You will see much more activity on here now that I’m tightening the focus of what I’d like to cover.

… all the walks I want to take: The weather’s slightly chilly for that, but jump on the stationary bike and dream of snowfall and sledding so I can have winterized entries on here.

… all the books I want to read: I don’t know about you, but I need to make a reading list. Nothing fancy to the tune of “I’m going to read 50 books next year,” but I would like to get my feet wet in the classics section. I aspire to one day be a well-read person. Maybe you’ll hear about the good ones in the coming year.

… and all the friends I want to see: Spend some time with the ones you love this Christmas. That goes for me, too. This is the perfect season to strengthen relationships and reforge bonds.

Put down the phone, shut the laptop, turn off the TV and look into that someone’s eyes. Brother? Friend? Mom? Significant other? Converse about your lives over a cup of coffee. Drive past the lit displays in your neighborhood. Experience a concert. Go window shopping. The point is, have quality time.

I spent quality time tonight with family putting up our Christmas tree. We’re a little late on the bandwagon, but it’s up with a solid week to go until the morning frenzy of flying wrapping paper discs and practically waterproofed gift wrappings.

Our tree has survived twenty Christmases strong at least with no signs of slowing down. We wrap it in lights, layer on the garland, hang ornaments and top it off with generous amounts of tinsel. Candy canes used to be a tree staple as well, but somewhere along the way their contract was revoked.

What about you? What are your tree decorating traditions and staples, if any? Do you have books to read, goals to achieve in the coming year? Let me know with a comment.

The Mission of Live Where You Are

Hi, my name is Angie! My blog, Live Where You Are, exists to encourage myself and others to make the most of their stomping grounds. Through sharing my personal experiences, I aim to inspire people to get out and explore their neighborhoods, parks, restaurants, and culture.

Join me as I explore St. Louis, St. Louis County, and the surrounding areas. Whether you’ve lived in the same place for decades or are in a brand new locale, let’s be inspired together and live, and really experience to the fullest, all that’s available right in our own backyards.